Signs That Your Child is Feeling Unwell
Perhaps it's nothing at all, but doubt and fear gnaw at you nevertheless.
This is a common occurrence for parents, whose toddlers are not able to process and communicate their malaise.
As usual, my preface is that only a qualified physician will be able to fully assuage you fears, so this reference is meant solely as a broad guideline about what to look out for.
Please remember that only a doctor will be able to rule out or diagnose anything!
- Sudden and uncharacteristic lack of appetite
- Limpness and unresponsiveness
- A different tenure of crying (this may seem a bit obvious: examples include moaning, mewling or wailing)
- Your baby looks unusually pale
- Pitting or discolored skin (look for other signs and causes of dehydration: fever,vomiting or diarrhea)
- Fevers (call a doctor if you are facing a persistent fever of over 102 F)
- Drooling
- A lump on the fontanelle (forehead)
- Rapid breathing (possible hyperventilating)
- General uncharacteristic irritability
- Spreading of rashes (more so if accompanied by fever)
- Ear problems (look for ear discharge -- generally your child may even be unresponsive to sounds)
More serious scenarios and symptoms may require emergency care.
Contact a doctor immediately if you run into the following symptoms:
- Continuous bleeding and large cuts
- Problems related to breathing
- Large burns (is your child suffering from shock?)
- Blue Lips
- Haematuria (blood in urine)
- Head injuries